Louis XVI (Aug. 23,1754-Jan. 21, 1793) was the last French king in the line of Bourbon monarchs before the French Revolution. He was the third born son of Louis XV and Maria Josepha and was well educated as a child. Louis XVI was able to avoid letting others know his thoughts through his education. He also had a great memory, an interest in history and geography, and learned Latin and English well. Marie-Antoinette, daughter of Maria Theresa and Francis I, married Louis XVI in 1770, while Louis was only 16.
After the death of his grandfather, Louis XV, in 1765, Louis XVI took the throne on May 10, 1774. At this time, he was still only 20 years old, lacking maturity and self-confidence. When the French Revolution came about Louis XVI seemed to be pretty accepting of his new role as constitutional monarch to the general public, but in private he was not so accepting, he thought the Revolution would run its course and burn out. In the summer of 1791, King Louis XVI attempted to flee France, but was caught in Varennes and brought back to France.
In the fall of 1792, Louis XVI was tried for treason against the nation and sentenced to death. January 21st, 1793, the French King Louis XVI was executed.
Louis XVI
Louis XVI (Aug. 23,1754-Jan. 21, 1793) was the last French king in the line of Bourbon monarchs before the French Revolution. He was the third born son of Louis XV and Maria Josepha and was well educated as a child. Louis XVI was able to avoid letting others know his thoughts through his education. He also had a great memory, an interest in history and geography, and learned Latin and English well. Marie-Antoinette, daughter of Maria Theresa and Francis I, married Louis XVI in 1770, while Louis was only 16.After the death of his grandfather, Louis XV, in 1765, Louis XVI took the throne on May 10, 1774. At this time, he was still only 20 years old, lacking maturity and self-confidence. When the French Revolution came about Louis XVI seemed to be pretty accepting of his new role as constitutional monarch to the general public, but in private he was not so accepting, he thought the Revolution would run its course and burn out. In the summer of 1791, King Louis XVI attempted to flee France, but was caught in Varennes and brought back to France.
In the fall of 1792, Louis XVI was tried for treason against the nation and sentenced to death. January 21st, 1793, the French King Louis XVI was executed.